Six Jewish Spiritual Paths

A Rationalist Looks at Spirituality

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The quest for spirituality is universal,
but with so many paths of spiritual nourishment to explore, how
do we begin to find the one that is right for us?

“Our tradition provides us with
appropriate vehicles to express our spirituality within the
framework of Judaism. Jewish sages, taking into account the
need and makeup of the individual Jew, have been very generous
in outlining for us various alternatives…. As you become
aware of your emotional and intellectual needs, and search for
an appropriate path to meet them with integrity, you will soon
realize that you have a preference for certain paths among the
many.”

—from Chapter 9

Rabbi Rifat Sonsino—a
self-proclaimed rationalist—offers a candid,
comprehensive discussion of the major paths to spirituality
within the framework of Judaism, and the differing way each
path can help us on our quest to nourish the soul and enlighten
the mind.

Acts of transcendence, prayer, meditation,
study, ritual, relationship and good deeds…which is the
best path for you? How can you follow it?

“Expands our understanding of
spirituality and reclaims it as a Jewish way of finding
God.”

—Rabbi
Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People

“A great place for a seeker to begin
Put this in the hands of anyone who wants to set out on the
Jewish Journey”

“A major contribution…Rabbi
Sonsino’s rigorous definitions cut through the fuzziness
that so frequently clouds the discussion of
spirituality.”

—Dr. Neil
Gillman, The Jewish Theological
Seminary of America; author of The
Way Into Encountering God in Judaism

“A comprehensive and fascinating
study of the many paths toward spiritual expression.”

—Rabbi
Karyn D. Kedar, author of Our Dance with God: Finding Prayer, Perspective,
and Meaning in the Stories of Our Lives and God Whispers:
Stories of the Soul, Lessons of the Heart

“A thoughtful reflection on one of
the more interesting and unusual Jewish journeys of our
time.”

—Rabbi
Arthur Green, Brandeis University;
author of Ehyeh: A Kabbalah for
Tomorrow and These Are the Words: A Vocabulary of Jewish
Spiritual Life

Rifat Sonsino,
scholar and rabbi, is spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in
Needham, Massachusetts. Ordained at Hebrew Union
College–Jewish Institute of Religion, he holds a degree
in law and a Ph.D. in Bible and ancient Near Eastern studies.
He has served as editor of the Central Conference of American
Rabbis Journal and is the co-author of Finding God—Ten Jewish Responses and What Happens
after I Die? Jewish Views of Life after Death. He and his wife, Ines, have two
children—Daniel and Deborah—and are the proud
grandparents of Ariella.